Bicarbonate of soda, or baking soda, is an alkali which is used to raise soda breads and full-…

2 tsp poppy seed

2 tbsp sesame seed

Method

Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Melt the butter in a small pan, then allow to cool slightly. Tip all the dry ingredients into a bowl, with ½ tsp salt, then pour in the butter. Add 5-6 tbsp boiling water and combine to make a firm dough.

Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured surface, then roll out until about 0.5cm thick. Cut into small squares, then bake for 12-15 mins until golden. Leave to cool for a few mins, then transfer to a wire rack and cool completely.

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Comments, questions and tips

Comments (19)

bballrosie29th Nov, 2014

2.5

That will teach me to read the comments first, but I'm glad I've found out why they tasted so bitter. I was about to take the oatmeal back to the shop. I'll try them with baking powder and maybe roll them a bit thinner as they were not crisp.

Thanks everyone, I hate the taste of bicarb too so used baking powder and they were delicious. So much nicer than my usual supermarket own brand of oat biscuits. They did fall apart a bit when trying to roll them out - think I need to add a bit more water next time

So having never had a bad experience from a recipe from this website, I made four batches of these for Christmas gifts….and then I tasted them and so glad I did….yuk, yuk, yuk!! I thought I had done something wrong and then I read the feedback….four batches now in the bin….like wendykr I will rate this very low until this recipe is adjusted. Off to make some more but this time with baking powder.

I ended up mixing my porridge oats with a hand-held mixer to get medium oats. I used baking powder instead of bicarb as suggested.The result was really nice, I love the texture, really crisp, perfect with cheese or dips.You can even use cookie cutters to give them a fun shape!

I wish I'd read the comments before baking as my first batch tasted foul due to the bicarb. I made some more with baking powder and they were delicious. Thanks to those who pointed out this alternative otherwise I wouldn't have known what had gone wrong!

A really nice basic recipe but with a horrible taste of Bicarb. I immediately made a second batch with baking powder instead and they were miles better, and tastng them side by side made it even clearer what a bad flavour the bicarb was creating. I also tried them using Flora Cuisine instead of butter and these were more to my preference- a bit harder and less cakey (and healthier). A very good dough to work with, plaible and easily handled, unlike a lot of oatcake recipes.

Just made three batches of these, one after the other. They're great, lovely texture, quick and simple to make. I used 4tbsp water which I felt was enough. Lovely Christmas gift along with some homemade chutney and cheese.

Questions (0)

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Tips (3)

melandlesley18th Mar, 2016

Don't make these - dreadful. Have learnt to read comments first. Waste of money - in the bin!

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